In this episode, we meet Jorge Franz, SVP of Tourism and Industry Relations at Houston First.

Jorge gives us an overview of Houston First and its role as the destination marketing organization for Houston. He also shares his own background and how he got into the tourism industry.

We then asked Jorge to highlight the diverse offerings of Houston, including Space Center Houston, the Museum District, and the culinary scene.

He emphasizes Houston's commitment to providing unique and memorable experiences for VIP travellers and offers insider tips, such as visiting the Cistern and enjoying authentic cowboy meals.

George also discusses Houston's medical tourism and the city's efforts to highlight African-American history and culture. He finishes by inviting travel buyers to consider Houston as a new destination and emphasizes the importance of the travel industry to the city.

Takeaways

• Houston First is the destination marketing organization for Houston, promoting the city as a great place to visit.
• Houston offers diverse attractions, including Space Center Houston, the Museum District with its 19 institutions, and a vibrant culinary scene.
• Houston provides unique and memorable experiences for VIP travellers, such as behind-the-scenes tours at Space Center Houston and authentic cowboy meals.
• The city is a hub for medical tourism, with world-class institutions offering executive medical checkups and specialized departments for international patients.
• Houston is committed to highlighting African-American history and culture, offering signature experiences that explore the city's African-American heritage.
• Travel buyers can reach out to Houston First for support in creating itineraries, accessing unique experiences, and connecting with decision-makers in the industry.

Reach out to Jorge and his team at Houston First. You can find Jorge on LinkedIn here.

Keywords

Jorge Franz, Houston, Houston First, destination marketing organization, tourism, Space Center Houston, Museum District, culinary scene, VIP experiences, insider tips, medical tourism, African-American history, travel industry

Chapters

• 00:12 Overview of Houston First
• 06:39 Houston's Attractions: Space Center Houston and the Museum District
• 09:51 Houston's Culinary Scene
• 13:02 Personalized Services for Travel Buyers
• 17:11 Memorable Experiences: George Ranch Historical Park and Houston Signature Experiences
• 19:48 Insider Tips: The Cistern, Hilton Americas View, and Houston's Shopping District
• 21:34 Undiscovered Gem: Taipei, Taiwan
• 24:25 Favourite Hotel: Four Seasons in Doha
• 30:49 Favorite City: Barcelona
• 31:14 Perfect Vacation: Adventuring with Family in Singapore and Taiwan
• 32:52 Houston as a New Destination